AN UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

GOD LOVES YOU

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

Nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:31-39)

The last five (5) months of Two Thousand and Sixteen (2016) has been a blessing to me. I have learnt more about, perseverance, tolerance, being confident, contentment, outspokenness (still learning this one), optimism, and most importantly about the Grace and Love of God towards ME and humanity and trusting Him to SORT me out. It is with so much joy in my heart I share this with you.

I didn't expect so much from January, because the hurt from my mum’s unexpected departure (Saturday, 7th November, 2015) was still fresh and excruciating; still fresh. Although, dead in reality, she’s so alive in my memory, heart and dreams (I dream of her often). It feels like a movie, as though everything was acted out.  Maybe she went for SHILOH (Winners Chapel) and would return in no time. Then again, I'm jolted out of my reverie; Elizabeth Ogbonnaya is gone; never to return to this sinful and wicked world. I had to find solace in the fact that we will meet again in HEAVEN!

It isn't always easy getting over the death of a loved one; especially a blood relative. You see, the devil, being aware of how much I loved my mum, sort of tortured me with the demise for a very long time. I suddenly became afraid, timid and insecure. As some point, I was contemplating going for therapy. Nothing seemed interesting, the more I tried putting up a face, the further I sank into depression. The devil indeed is deft in the act of stealing people’s joy; this is why as Christians, we should never neglect the place of PRAISE, PRAYER AND WORSHIP in our lives, for in the presence of God, there is JOY in abundance indeed!

Let me say this quickly, when the devil attacks, it is with the intention of distracting you completely from your PURPOSE as a child of God. Someone who’s depressed can’t think about Impacting Lives Positively (That’s my purpose by the way)... in my case, if I had given into the trick of the devil, I would have forfeited being a part of, Teens Lead Change, Rescued by Love, Visit to JOFIN Orphanage, being a media Ambassador for National Film and Video Censors Board, EUREKA, Plateau Christian Corpers’ Praise and a successful Editorial CDS Dinner Committee, just to mention the most important...

Through the grace of God, in the midst of all my sadness, depression, confusion and uncertainty, I found strength in listening to my Christian playlist (I listen to beautiful Soul music sometimes ***winks***); I was too weak to pray; I didn't even know what to pray for or about. Studying my bible was no longer interesting; though I read my devotional every morning, there was no form of meditation afterwards. But thank God for Gospel songs, once I began to sing along, my Spirit Man was strengthened and my “sanity” restored. By His grace I pulled through February and March, executed different projects (personal and group) and a boost in my spiritual life and overcame other distractions the devil brought through friends and colleagues during my NYSC.

The devil is like a roaring lion, going to and fro looking for whom to destroy and devour, he is never tired, always looking for a prey and when our guards are loosened; especially as Christians, and he takes advantage of it and strikes again!

My life was back to what it used to be (happy, peaceful, bright, good, beautiful, “HOPE-FULL”) until the middle of March when my character, faith, integrity and social skills was being questioned and attacked by people I care about and respect and most especially by someone I thought was “the ONE”.

Here’s the thing, people don’t ask questions they make assumptions and our perception of a situation determines how we react to it.

I can’t go into all the details, but it was so bad I had to look inward to see if it was me and what I was doing wrong.  I cried several nights and asked God to remove anything in me that wasn't supposed to be. There were days I didn't feel like getting out of bed, but I had to. These continued for days, rolled into weeks, however I didn't stop talking to God about it.

I concluded my prayers by forgiving myself and those I felt had hurt me, and made adjustments where necessary; that included getting rid of some people.

As we grow in life, we discover that everybody can’t be our friend and every GOOD brother or sister can’t be your partner. They are NOT bad people, but they certainly are not good for you either.

It’s important I mention this: I was as wrong as they were, and we've all learnt a lesson or two from our mistakes. Well, I have...

The service year ended in the month of April and with my bags packed, I left Jos for Lagos and on arrival I missed my mum even more.

Then came the devil with thoughts like, “Who’s going to walk me down the aisle on my special day? who will be there when I have my triplets? Who will bath me till I'm strong enough to help myself and the babies? Who’s going to give me words of encouragement when I'm weak? Who will be willing to listen to all my rants? Who will pray for me every midnight of my birthday? Who will this, who will that...? (worry a lot, I know) Then came the tears and sadness again and this time I felt God would probably be angry at me for giving in to the lies of the devil.

“Though hurt by our unbelief and anxiety, God is not against us, He is for us and has loved us with an everlasting love.” This kept coming to my spirit all through the challenges of the past 5 months. For those times I felt inadequate, I was reminded that I have been made complete through Christ Jesus. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...” (Romans 8:1) and this understanding gave me the courage to fight back.

God also answered my questions through my sister Jennifer. We got talking about my countenance and how I had reacted to something she said. After several words of wisdom and encouragement she concluded by saying, “David encouraged himself in the Lord... mum is gone, now is the time for you to be strong for yourself. Hold on fast to God and trust Him to perfect all that concerns you.” Now that’s something my mum would have said. God indeed never leaves us without comfort. (John 14:18) We just have to be sensitive enough to know when He’s saying something to us through the people around us and hold steadfastly unto His words.

I've been born again for 5 years now, and I must say, I've never felt or understood how much God loves me and how sufficient His grace is for me in the past years as I've come to understand in this 5 months. Thank God for the “Grace Revolution” a book by Joseph Prince and for sis Jennifer, Mum Idah, Holy Parcel, Bolu, my In-law, uncle Mayowa (he’s an answer to a prayer I made on behalf of my sis. God answers prayer!) And the beautiful friends God have blessed me with. In these people I see and feel STRONGLY the love of God for me.

My message to you is this, no matter the challenge or trials, moments of depression, false accusation, and self condemnation, just get out of the “pity party” and walk in the confidence of who God says you are because none of the aforementioned can separate you from how much God loves you.

Don’t you get it?! He gave up His only Precious Son to die for your WEAKNESSES and in our anchor scripture we can see that the risen Christ still intercedes on our behalf. He is our mediator, and His blood speaks better things for me and for you, hence the accuser of the brethren has nothing on us.

Get up and move on! Don’t let guilt, inadequacies, disappointments, doubt or anxiety, the loss of a loved one, sin, people’s opinion about you get the best of you. Let your focus, hope be on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith.  Look to Him for approval, not people.

When Jesus asked His disciples what people thought of Him, it didn't mean that He forgot who He is or their opinion would changed anything about Him, but He asked anyway. While it is necessary to be cognizance of what people think or say about you, don’t let their opinion weigh you down so much that you forget who God says you are. Make improvements where necessary, be open to corrections, apologise when someone calls your attention to what you've done wrong and move on.

Don’t try to please men; you’ll never succeed at it, but please God and He will cause even your haters to love you. Remember you’re created in the likeness and image of God. Sin has no dominion over you, because the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells inside of you and quickens your mortal body to the glory of His Holy Name.

In the midst of all your temptations and trials, find comfort in the fact Christ died for you and in that weakness you’re made strong through Him. He has loved you with an everlasting love and nothing (not your past, present or future mistakes) can separate you from that LOVE.

I believe you have been blessed... REMAIN BLESSED

HAPPY NEW MONTH LOVE!!!

Chichi Ogbonnaya
#Aforcetoreckonwith

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN? IF NO... SAY THIS SHORT PRAYER

LORD JESUS!

I come to you today. I am a sinner, please forgive me and wash me with your blood.

I believe in my heart that You died for my sins and rose again that I may live.

I confess with my mouth, come into my life, be my Lord and Saviour.

I cannot help myself, save me and give me a new start.

Thank You Jesus, for forgiving me.

AMEN!!!